INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSIONAL BOXER, CHRIS BILLAM-SMITH

Fighting for titles, balancing family life, and the values that keep him grounded

“Boxing is a great metaphor for life. In the ring, someone is literally trying to knock you down, and life can feel like that too. Bad things will happen, but boxing has taught me confidence, self-esteem, respect, and discipline—all from the hard work, and from what some people might see as failures.”

At BROOD, we’re always drawn to stories that celebrate not just professional triumphs, but the heart and humanity behind them. Someone who embodies this spirit perfectly is Chris Billam-Smith—a world-class athlete whose grit in the ring is matched only by his devotion to his family.

We had the absolute pleasure of spending a day with Chris, his wife Mia, and their adorable three-year-old son for a special photoshoot and interview in their hometown of Bournemouth, set against the stunning backdrop of The Marriott Highcliff Hotel. At the time of our meeting, the Billam-Smith family were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their newest addition, and since going to print, baby number two came into the world, and they are now a very happy, healthy family of four. Chris, who only started boxing at 16 years old after going to watch his friend train, won his first world title, the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship, on May 27, 2023, when he defeated Lawrence Okolie by majority decision in Bournemouth, at the Vitality Stadium, home to AFC Bournemouth, of which Chris has been a lifelong fan. He successfully defended the title twice in the following months. Chris’s journey is one of relentless determination and humility. While his achievements in boxing have inspired fans around the world, it’s his unwavering commitment to being a present, loving husband and father that truly sets him apart. In this candid conversation, Chris opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the joy and chaos of family life, and the values that keep him grounded—reminding us all that true strength is found in both our ambitions and our bonds at home.

Lolo: What have you found to be the most challenging thing about juggling parenthood alongside having a successful boxing career?

Chris: “It’s definitely being away from my family. That’s what I struggle with the most, especially as Frank gets older. The last few camps have been really tough. For each fight camp—which is a six-to-ten-week training regimen leading up to a fight—I’m away from Sunday night until Friday afternoon. That’s a lot of time away from them. And now, with Mia being pregnant as well, I feel like I need to be there for her too. The guilt of being away is definitely the hardest thing. I want to spend that time with Frank, watching him grow and learn new things. That’s what I miss the most.”

Lolo: What coping mechanisms do you put in place so you can stay focused and not let the guilt impact you too much? How do you adjust your mindset to focus on your career when you need to?

Chris: “I try to get in as many phone calls and video calls as I can—that helps a lot. I’m grateful for that technology, because when my dad worked away when I was a kid, it was different. We might get a phone call, but often there was no contact for the whole week. So I make the most of being able to stay in touch. And I remind myself that I’m there to do a job, and I have the luxury that after a camp and a fight, I get to go home and be with my family for a few weeks or even months at a time. That helps me balance things out.”
Lolo: “You’re about to have your second baby—another boy! How do you hope your boys, growing up and watching you pursue your dreams and succeed, will be inspired by your journey?

Chris: ”For me, it’s all about following your passion. I’ve been so lucky to have my parents’ support throughout my life and career, and I want to give that same support to my boys. Boxing has given me so much, and I want to show them that anything is possible if you work hard and, honestly, just try to be a good person. That’s what has helped me get where I am. I always try to be the best person I can be. But above all, I just want them to be happy. Frank is already very driven and competitive, so I’ll have to teach him about hard work and how to handle not always winning. There will be plenty of lessons, and probably some tears, but I want to show them that things aren’t always plain sailing—you just have to keep going.”

Lolo: How important is it, as a life lesson, to put yourself out there—even if you don’t always win? How do you transfer the lessons you’ve learned in the ring into parenthood?

Chris: “ I think it’s crucial. Boxing is a great metaphor for life. In the ring, someone is literally trying to knock you down, and life can feel like that too. Bad things will happen, but boxing has taught me confidence, self-esteem, respect, and discipline—all from the hard work, and from what some people might see as failures. It’s about how you respond and push through adversity. That’s something I hope to pass on to my kids.”

Lolo: What’s been the most challenging point in your career so far?

Chris: “It was probably when Lawrence Okolie joined my gym. He was number one in the country at the time, and I was just starting to get into bigger fights. I wanted to fight him, but suddenly he was training alongside me. The gym then moved, and it was like a university campus – great facilities, but it meant that I was far from home. We were all living together, and it was a tough period for me, seeing the guy I wanted to beat every day. But the beauty of it is, Lawrence eventually left, and I got the chance to fight him for the world title – and I beat him. That just shows that everything happens for a reason. I kept turning up, kept going through that tough patch, and in the end, it worked out. That opportunity to fight him was still a great one, and I was lucky enough to seize it.”

Lolo: I think I know the answer, but what’s your biggest career highlight to date? Anything you’d like to expand on?
Chris: “There are so many coincidences well, more like synchronicities—about that night I fought Lawrence. We’d booked the stadium for a world title fight, and he was one of the champions at the time. He wasn’t our first choice, since we knew him from the gym, but the other champions weren’t available.
He offered to step in, and we thought it’d be a good fight. I got the job done.
Even the date was special – my favourite boxer growing up, George Groves, won his world title at a football stadium on the same date, 27th May. It was the day after my son’s first birthday. The whole night was perfect – the stadium, the fans, the weather. Even the fight itself: I’m glad it went to points and not a knockout, because that anticipation between the final bell and the result made it even more special. There’s nothing I’d change about that night. It was a life highlight – it was just amazing” I want to show them that things aren’t always plain sailing—you just have to keep going.

Interview by Lolo Stubbs
Photography By Tom Pitfield
Venue: Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

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